Valve



Aug. 21, 1962 v. TAYLOR 3,049,721

VALVE Filed June 27, 1961 Ill/l l R IL. TAYLOR Q/ILAW ATTORNEY 3,049,721 VALVE Virgil Taylor, 105 8th St. W., P.(). Box 283, Radford, Va.

Filed June 27, 1961, Ser. No. 119,974 4 Claims. (Cl. 437) My invention relates to a two-level flush valve which may be easily installed in presently existing toilet flush tanks as replacement equipment or may be included in new units.

More particularly, my invention relates to an improved structure which enables the utilization of a predetermined portion of the water from the conventional storage tank, as desired. The full conventional capacity of the tank can also be used by merely actuating the valve mechanism to the full extent of its movement.

My improved structure encompasses an improved utilization of a minimum number of parts, including resilient seal members, a molded plastic member, a plastic bearing with clamp means for attachment to the conventional standpipe, and a plug member. The resilient seal members are combined with the molded plastic member in a predetermined dimensional and proportional manner to function in the desired manner in accordance with valve actuation. More particularly, the combination which makes up this operating member of the unit provides not only the flow channels required for the twolevel flush but also two important fluid sealing elements, a flow control passageway to insure smooth water flow and a sealed gas filled chamber of predetermined buoyancy.

The conventional equipment today usually includes a two inch outlet pipe, the top outlet port of which is spaced an inch or so above the bottom of the tank. The standpipe is usually one inch in diameter and extends vertically upward in parallelism with the outlet pipe with a dimension of about 2% inches between the center lines. The molded body member and peripheral sealing members are about 3% inches in vertical dimension and preferably a reference member for normal water level is placed on the valve stem about three inches above the top seal. In this fashion, the partial flush will allow 2 /2 to 3 gallons of water to pass whereas a full flush will allow a 4 /2 to 5 gallon flush. It will be understood that the dimensions are not critical but that the proportions are critically interrelated so that effective operation will occur with no important adjustments being required for various installation designs.

For a better understanding of the invention and its other objects, advantages and details, reference is now made to the present preferred embodiment of the invention which is shown, for purposes of illustration only, in the accompanying drawings, In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a toilet tank partially broken away to show the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section on enlarged scale showing the two-level flush valve and showing, in phantom, the position of the plug in partial flush position;

FIGURE 3 is a partial elevational view showing the valve in full flush position; and

FIGURE 4 is a top sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that my invention is adapted to be installed in a conventional toilet flush tank 15, the pertinent conventional equipment in the tank which is utilized by my invention being the outlet port 16, standpipe 17, and flush valve actuating means 18. It will be recognized that any actuating means accomplishing vertical movement of a plug stem 19 will be satisfactory.

My invention includes a bearing member 20, a valve 3,949,721 Patented Aug. 21, 1952 body 21, a peripheral top seal 22, a plug member 23 and a peripheral bottom seal 24 as its major components. The valve body 21 is preferably integrally constructed of molded plastic and the peripheral seals 22, 24 are preferably of suitable resilient sealing material fixedly mounted on the valve body 21 by tension or adhesive compositions. The plug member 23 including its stem 19 is easily assembled on the valve body 21 and a reference link 25 in the upper stem 19 is provided to enable the plumber to set the proper water level in the tank for optimum use of my invention.

Referring now to the preferred embodiment specifically shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the bearing member is a plastic ring-like band 26 adapted to be vertically disposed above the outlet port 16 by attachment to the standpipe 17 through its clamp means 27. The clamp means 27 can be of metal with arcuate spring arms 28 terminating at inturned fingers 29 which bite into the standpipe 17. The clamp means 27 includes two vertically spaced units which prevent tipping these units being connected to the band by suitable rivets 30.

Slidably mounted in the bearing is the valve body 21, the outer surface of its outer wall 31 being in vertical sliding contact with the inner surface of the band 26. A vertical internal conduit 32 is integrally connected to the outer wall 31 by means of a web 33 extending substantially horizontally between the mid-portions of the internal conduit 32 and the outer wall 31. As shown the outer wall 31 is cylindrical and the internal conduit 32 is similarly cylindrical in shape and concentrically mounted within the outer wall 31, the web 33 being an annular ring. A downwardly dished cap 35 is integrally formed With the top end of the internal conduit 32; this cap is an inverted cone which substantially closes the top end and is provided with a central stem hole 36 at the apex of the cone. The cap 35 is located at a predetermined position above the web 33 and below the top edge of the outer wall 31 to enable proper functioning of the device, as will be explained. The upper portion of the internal conduit 32 above the web 33 is cut-away to provide a water flow passage of predetermined capacity. In the embodiment shown, the water flow passage consists of two rectangular openings 38, 39 extending from the cap 35 to the web 33 at diametrically opposite portions of the internal conduit 32. This design of the passageway and the cap provides for smooth water flow and functioning of the device.

A plug member 23 including a plug 41 in the shape of a sphere or ball having a stem 19 depending therefrom through the stem hole 36 in the cap 35 is provided. A portion of the stem 19 extends upwardly for attachment to the conventional flush valve actuating means 18 and the indicia member or reference link is provided to identify optimum tank water level. As shown, the stem 19 in the preferred embodiment is in form of a chain. The bottom end of the stem 19 is provided with an enlarged tip 43 which is designed for abutting lifting en- \gagement with the cap 35.

The peripheral top seal 22 is mounted on the top of the outer wall 31 and provides an inner upwardly facing seat 45 for the plug 41. The proportions are predetermined, that is, the plug 41 does not contact cap when in seated position through a portion extends into the inverted cone zone and upon partial flushing, the plug can be raised sufficiently ofi its seat since the enlarged tip 43 is positioned at a predetermined distance below the cap 35 when the plug is in seated condition.

A peripheral bottom seal 24 is mounted on the bottom of the outer wall 31 and the bottom of the internal conduit 32, this bottom seal having an inner downwardly facing sealing surface adaped for sealing engagement with the conventional outlet port 16. It will be noted that the inner vertical wall 50 of the bottom seal 24 and of the internal conduit 32 are aligned for smooth water flow. The bottom seal 24, the outer wall 31, the internal conduit 32, and the web 33 form a closed chamber of predetermined buoyancy to enable optimum valve actuation.

The top seal 22 and bottom seal 24- are annular rings in the preferred embodiment shown and are provided with annular slots in their opposed horizontal faces for receipt of the ends of the outer Wall 31 and internal conduit 32.

It will be recognized that adjustments of dimensions are facilitated by my design to satisfy the different operating conditions encountered in the various models and sizes of flush tanks.

In operation, a partial flushing is accomplished by actuating the valve actuating means 18 to a degree whereby the enlarged tip 43 just engages the web. At this point, the plug 41 is elevated to the phantom position shown in FIGURE 2 and the Water in the tank will flow through openings 38, 39 and through outlet port 16 until the water reaches the level of the top seal 22 as indicated by the dotted line in FIGURE 2. If a full flush is desired, the valve actuating means 18 is moved beyond the partial position whereby the enlarged tip 43 lifts the valve body 21 thereby raising the bottom seal 24 from its seated position on the outlet port 16 as shown in FIG- URE 3. It will be noted that the outer annular upwardly facing ledge 55 of the bottom seal 24 which extends beyond the outer Wall 31 serves as a stop to limit vertical movement on its engagement with the bearing member 20.

While the present preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that the invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. t

I claim: a

1. A two-level flush valve for use in a conventional toilet flush tank having an outlet port, a. standpipe, and flush valve actuating means, comprising a bearing member having means for attachment thereof to said standpipe; a valve body mounted in said bearing member and having an outer wall in vertical sliding engagement with said bearing member, a vertical internal conduit, a peripheral Web integrally interconnecting said internal conduit to said outer wall, said web extending substantially horizontally between the mid-portions of the internal conduit and outer Wall, said internal conduit having a top edge at a predetermined position above said web and below the top edge of said outer wall, a downwardly dished cap having a stem hole and being formed integral with and substantially closing the top end of said internal conduit, the upper portion of said internal conduit above said web being cut-away to provide a water flow passage having an opening of predetermined capacity; a peripheral top seal mounted on the top of said outer wall, a plug member including a plug seated on top of said top seal and having a stem extending downwardly through the stem hole in the cap and upwardly for attachment to the conventional flush valve actuating means, the bottom end of said stem being positioned a predetermined distance below said cap when said plug is in seated condition and having an enlarged tip to enable abutting lifting engagement with the cap, a peripheral bottom seal mounted on the bottom of said outer Wall and of said internal conduit adapted for'sealing engagement with said conventional outlet port and defining with the outer wall, internal conduit and web a closed chamber of predetermined buoyancy.

2. A two-level flush valve for use in a conventional toilet flush tank having an outlet port, a standpipe, and flush valve actuating means, comprising a bearing member having a ring-like band and clamp means for attachment thereof to said standpipe; a valve body mounted in said bearing member and having a cylindrical outer wall in vertical sliding engagement with said ringlike band, a vertical internal conduit, a peripheral web integrally interconnecting said internal conduit to said outer wall, said web being an annular ring and extending substatially horizontally between the mid-portions of the internal conduit and outer wall, said internal conduit having a top edge at a predetermined position above said web and below the top edge of said outer wall, a downwardly dished cap having a central stem hole and being formed integral with and substantially closing the top end of said internal conduit, the upper portion of said internal conduit above said web having diametrically opposite rectangular openings to provide a Water flow passage of predetermined capacity; a peripheral top seal mounted on the top of said outer wall, a plug member including a spherical plug seated on top of said top seal and having a stem extending downwardly through the stem hole in the cap and upwardly for attachment to-the conventional flush valve actuating means, the bottom end of said stem being positioned a predetermined distance below said cap when said plug is in seated condition and having an enlarged tip to enable abutting lifting engagement with the cap, a peripheral bottom seal mounted on the bottom of said outer wall and of said internal conduit adapted for sealing engagement with said con-- ventional outlet port and defining with the outer wall, internal conduit and web a closed chamber of predetermined buoyancy.

3. A two-level flush valve in accordance with claim 1 and wherein said means for attaching said bearing member to a standpipe includes a clamp means having arcuate spring arms With inturned fingers adapted to bite into the standpipe.

4. A two-level flush valve in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said means for attaching said bearing member to a standpipe includes a clamp means having arcuate spring arms With interned fingers adapted to bite into the standpipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,121,362 Martin June 21, 1938 2,709,263 Doty May 31, 1955 2,760,206 Lloyd Aug. 28, 1956 2,914,774 Nielsen Dec. 1, 1959 3g q g fi m a -e r:- QP 2' 

